The latest environment news from The Texas Tribune.
Ten years ago, the renewable energy industry basked in political popularity. With the rise of the Tea Party, it is now under fire. Clean energy advocates will spend part of the legislative session fending off attacks. But they also have some big dreams. Full Story
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At a joint meeting of the House Natural Resources and Energy committees Wednesday, legislators said that even if fracking accounts for only a small portion of the state's water use, every drop counts. Full Story
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In addition to the discussions of water infrastructure funding at the Capitol, an even more basic issue is also on the table: whether to restructure the Texas Water Development Board. Full Story
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State Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, filed legislation this week that would create a commission to work with neighboring states like Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma on securing water for Texas. Full Story
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President Obama on Tuesday night peppered his State of the Union address with proposals for America's energy future, including natural gas development. But what do those proposals mean for Texas? Full Story
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A battle over Texas coal is heating up, as the Sierra Club is launching a targeted effort to close down 1970s-era coal plants owned by power-generation giant Luminant. It will be one of the club's biggest anti-coal campaigns in the nation. Full Story
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Several Texas cities have plans to implement potable reuse projects, which put treated wastewater through extra chemical and biological processes before it eventually becomes part of the drinking supply. Full Story
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At a joint House and Senate Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, officials found common ground over the need for conservation and the development of new technologies that could be used to increase the state’s water reserves. Full Story
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A decision by the Texas Railroad Commission has paved the way for an open-pit coal mine to begin operating on the Texas-Mexico border. Opponents of the plan are weighing their options, which include making a request for another hearing. Full Story
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Some legislators say the practice of diverting funds earmarked for state parks compromises the integrity of the state budget and the quality of parks. Full Story
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As lawmakers look for a way to fix infrastructure crumbling under the weight of a drilling boom, talk of reducing the tax money that feeds the state's Rainy Day Fund is drawing attention. Full Story
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Texas homeowners associations often require members to keep plush lawns. But some are easing their rules as the drought continues, and two Texas lawmakers have introduced legislation to prevent the groups from restricting xeriscaping. Full Story
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In his seventh State of the State address, Gov. Rick Perry ignored controversial issues and urged state lawmakers to do the nitty gritty work of government: fund water projects, build more roads and improve education. Full Story
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The Texas Railroad Commission regulates one of the most advanced industries in the world — oil and gas drilling. Yet the commission’s software systems, many of its rules and even its name are from another era. But change is coming. Full Story
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At this morning's TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about how much it will take to jump-start the state's as-yet-unfunded water plan. Full Story
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Major water infrastructure projects have languished in Texas for years. But a new sense of urgency has spurred lawmakers this year to take a serious look at a multibillion-dollar plan that could help secure water for the state for 50 years. Full Story
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Controversy over whether hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, poses a threat to groundwater has spurred a group of scientists to try to make fracking fluid traceable — by injecting it with DNA. Full Story
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Water has emerged as the top infrastructure issue before the 83rd Legislature — an issue that appears to be more important to lawmakers than to most of the people they represent. Full Story
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As domestic drilling continues to boom, more earthquakes are occurring, and states are taking action to fight them. But not in Texas, where the most drilling is taking place. Full Story
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Full video of my January 17 TribLive conversation with state Rep. Allan Ritter, R-Nederland, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. Full Story
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